By Adeleye Kunle
Professor Ladipo Adamolekun, a leading African public administrator, stated yesterday that for Nigeria to get it right, political parties must refrain from appointing former military leaders as party leaders or electing them to any position.
To commemorate his 80th birthday, Adamolekun held a press conference and discussion of his monograph, titled ‘Nigeria and I: Getting Politics Right to Make Nigeria Work.’
Speaking about how Nigeria can improve its politics, he stated that key ingredients such as a devolved federation, good democratic practice, and administrative competence will assist the country in moving forward.
“The two recycled military leaders who have served as presidents since 1999 have clearly demonstrated that military culture trumps democratic culture; a civilianised Nigerian military leader cannot be a democrat,” he says.
“While the good practice of electing political leaders through the ballot box must be maintained, political parties should agree not to elect former military leaders as party leaders or presidential/gubernatorial candidates in the future.”
“A major reason Nigeria isn’t working is that we’ve kept a unitary federalism oxymoron that we inherited from the military when civilian rule began in 1999.”
Nigeria must operate as a federal system.
“Nigeria urgently needs to adopt and operate a devolved federal system.” This political system will be distinguished by the following characteristics: Six federating units; function allocation between the central government and the federating units based on the subsidiarity principle.
“Consistent with both the imperative of fiscal federalism and the proposed increased functions for subnational governments.”
Adamolekun, a former Dean of the Faculty of Administration and Professor of Public Administration at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, advocated for increased electoral legitimacy, the rule of law, and the party system, among other things.
“Nigeria needs a development-oriented political leader, one under whose watch the country can begin to record steady progress in growing the economy, reducing poverty, assuring security, and moving towards prosperity for all citizens,” said the former World Bank public sector management specialist.
“At the end of his/her tenure, this leader would be eligible for the Mo Ibrahim Africa Leadership Prize, which was established in 2007.”
“I would add four essential leadership attributes to the characteristics of the political leaders that would make Nigeria work to the imperative of development orientation: integrity, intelligence, competence, and vision.”
“The three possible future scenarios for the country that I envisioned in ‘Whither Nigeria? Directions for Future Development (2012)’ remain relevant today.”
Maintaining the status quo will eventually result in a “Optimistic scenario: the country discovers a viable path to federal democracy and economic prosperity.” Pessimistic scenario: the dreaded ‘D’ word, federation disintegration.”
Nigeria is not paying attention to the voice of reason.
Mr Gbenga Adefaye, chairman of the occasion and General Manager/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Media Ltd, noted in his remarks that the country is not short of lofty ideas and intellects like Adamolekun to propel the country to new heights.
Adefaye, who is also the Provost of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, NIJ, lamented that the nation is not listening to the voice of reason and wisdom from intellects and academics, but he added that he is not depressed about Nigeria.
Mr Dare Babarinsa, a seasoned journalist, was present at the event, as was Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, a Professor of Chemical Engineering and the first Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Otuoke in Bayelsa State; Dr Theo Abbah and Dr Femi Oguntuase.
Prof Adele Jinadu, Prof Kemi Rotimi, Prof Niyi Akinnaso, the celebrant’s wife and daughter: Jumoke and Yemi Adamolekun, Prof Isaac Obaze, students from Fiwasaye and Oyemekun Grammar schools in Akure, and others are also present.
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